WO2014078888A1

WO2014078888A1 - Improved wheelbarrow structural and container shape

Info

Publication number: WO2014078888A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/001328
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip John DUMAS; Benjamin Mark GREEN
Original assignee: Dumas Philip John; Green Benjamin Mark
Priority date: 2012-11-21
Filing date: 2013-11-19
Publication date: 2014-05-30
Also published as: EP2922739A1; US10046781B2; WO2015074091A1; US20150329131A1

Abstract

The invention relates generally to improvements in wheelbarrows and to a wheel barrow in which the structural shape of the frame and positioning of the wheel provide a wheelbarrow which is self-balancing and able to be operated by one operator and with very little lifting and pushing force. The wheelbarrow comprising a main frame defining first and second spaced-apart longitudinal portions; a load carrying portion comprising a front wall and a rear wall adjoined by a pair of opposite side walls and a floor defining a receptacle, said load carrying portion being mounted to said main frame and configured for supporting a load; an axle mounted below said main frame and contained substantially within said first and second spaced apart longitudinal portions; a ground engaging wheel rotatably mounted on said axle for moving the wheelbarrow over the ground; a first leg structure and a second leg structure attached respectively to said first and second spaced apart longitudinal portions configured to engage the ground when the wheelbarrow is in a stationary position; and wherein said load carrying portion has an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a shoulder, said upper portion located above said ground engaging wheel and said lower portion located behind said wheel.

Description

IMPROVED WHEELBARROW STRUCTURAL AND CONTAINER

SHAPE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to improvements in wheelbarrows and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a wheel barrow in which the structural shape of the frame and positioning of the wheeJ provide a wheelbarrow which is self- balancing and able to be operated by one operator and with very little lifting and pushing force. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that reference to the prior art herein is not to be taken as an acknowledgement that such prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the art.

Wheelbarrows have been in widespread use for many years for the transportation of loads from one site to another over relatively short distances. Wheelbarrows of different design and configuration comprise a load carrying container- supported by a frame having two handles for lifting and pushing, one or two wheels mounted at the front of the container extending downwardly therefrom, and two legs at the rear of the container, also extending downwardly therefrom, When the wheelbarrow is at rest, balancing and stability is maintained by the two rear legs and the one or two front wheels.

The two handles allow the wheelbarrow's supports to be raised from the ground in order to change from the rest position to the travel position. In the travel position, only the wheel is in contact with the ground surface, The shape of the load carrying container influences the position of the centre of gravity when the wheelbarrow is laden. The centre of gravity is preferably close to the wheel, so that only a small torque need be applied to raise the supports.

There are a number of drawbacks associated with these conventional wheelbarrows, The single wheel facilitates the manual handling of the load, but the materials carried in the container frequently shift position therein and the balance of the wheelbarrow shifts, rendering control of the wheelbarrow quite difficult. As a consequence, operation of the normal presently available wheelbarrow by a person of relatively small stature may be extremely difficult, and indeed, even relatively large and powerful persons may encounter difficulties in manipulation of a heavily loaded wheelbarrow. To lift a loaded wheelbarrow, a substantial lifting force is required that depends on the actual load, the position of the centre of gravity (CoG) with respect to distance between the CoG and the wheel axle, and on the distance between the handles and the wheel axle, as they are defined by established equations of the lever,

Clearly it would be advantageous if an improved wheelbarrow could be devised that helped to at least ameliorate some of the shortcomings described above. In particular, it would be beneficial for a wheelbarrow to improve on these deficiencies by providing a wheelbarrow design which, with minimal force and effort, is easily manenverable, controllable, and has superior stability under all modes of operation, such as forward pushing, tilting and turning, and loading and unloading.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides in one aspect although not necessarily the broadest aspect, a wheelbarrow for carrying materials, said wheelbarrow comprising; a main frame defining first and second spaced-apart longitudinal portions; a load carrying portion comprising a front wall and a rear wall adjoined by a pair of opposite side walls and a floor defining a receptacle, said load carrying portion being mounted to said main frame and configured for supporting a load; an axle mounted below said main frame and contained substantially within said first and second spaced apart longitudinal portions; a ground engaging wheel rotatably mounted on said axle for moving the wheelbarrow over the ground; a first leg structure and a second leg structure attached respectively to said fust and second spaced apart longitudinal portions configured to engage the ground when the wheelbarrow is in a stationary position; and wherein said load carrying portion has an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a shoulder, said upper portion located above said ground engaging wheel and said lower portion located behind said wheel.

Preferably, said main frame may comprise a pair of elongate handles laterally spaced apart and extending rearwardly from one end of said first and second spaced- apart longitudinal portions. Preferably, said main frame, said first leg structure, and second leg structure may be fabricated from tubular steel,

Preferably, said main frame may further comprise cross brace elements separating said fust and second longitudinal portions said cross brace elements comprising: a first forward cross brace extending between said first and second longitudinal portions and located adjacent to said front wall of said load carrying portion; a second forward cross brace extending between said fast and second longitudinal portions and located proximate to said shoulder at a point adjacent said upper portion of said load carrying portion; a first rearward cross brace extending between said first and second longitudinal portions and located adjacent said rear wall of said load carrying portion; and a second rearward cross brace extending between said first and second longitudinal portions and located proximate to said shoulder at a point adjacent said lowe portion of said load carrying portion.

Preferably, said frame and cross brace members positioned between said first and second longitudinally extending portions may be positioned substantially under said load carrying portion. Preferably, said second rearward cross member may form a pivot point for the wheelbarrow located behind and in close proximity to the wheel and below said centre of gravity of said wheelbarrow.

Preferably, the wheelbarrow may further comprise a cross brace member located between said first and second longitudinal portions and proximate said pair of elongate handles and adapted to keep the pair of elongate handles spaced apart from each other. Preferably, said pair of elongate handles may further comprise resilient rubber grips located at or close to an end of said first and second longitudinal portions for gripping by a user.

Preferably, the wheelbarrow may comprise a centre of gravity at rest that may be located proximate said shoulder located between said upper and lower portions and behind said wheel so that the centre of gravity is located in close proximity to said wheel to reduce the amount of strength required to lift and move said wheelbarrow. Preferably, said lower portion of said load carrying portion may form a first receptacle for loading materials and said upper portion of said load carrying portion may form a second receptacle for loading materials, wherein when materials are loaded into each receptacle the wheelbarrow is balanced due to the materials being substantially loaded into said lower portion which is substantially formed behind the wheel of said wheelbarrow thereby placing the centre of gravity in close proximity to the wheel axle or pivot point to reduce the amount of strength required to lift, move and empty the wheelbarrow.

Preferably, said axle mounted ground engaging wheel may extend below said main frame and may be mounted on a support frame comprising elongate members extending from said main frame and located on either side of said axle. Preferably, said load carrying portion may have a front wall inclining forwardly-upwardly towards the front edge thereof in a transport position for emptying its contents on tilting the wheelbarrow forvvarclly about an axis positioned substantially between and parallel to the wheel axle and the pivot point formed by said second rearward cross member.

Preferably, the first and second spaced-apart longitudinal portions may comprise two identical bodies each with a rearwardly extending handle bar with a grip and a wheel mount extending below each longitudinal portion on which a wheel is pivotally mounted.

Preferably, said identical longitudinal portions may be spaced apart by at least one laterally extending element welded at each end between each said longitudinal portion. Preferably, said identical longitudinal portions are spaced apart by four laterally extending elements located substantially below said load carrying portion and a further laterally extending element between said handle bars. Preferably, said laterally extending elements may be connected to said load carrying portion at points located along said laterally extending element.

Preferably, said main frame, said first leg structure, and second leg structure, said at least one laterally extending element may be fabricated from tubular steel and said load carrying portion may be fabricated from a thin sheet metal of sufficient strength for use as a wheelbarrow for transporting materials from one place to another. Alternatively, said main frame, said first leg structure, and second leg structure, said at least one laterally extending element may be constructed from wood and said load carrying portion is moulded from a reinforced plastic material sufficiently strong enough for use as a wheelbarrow for transporting materials from one place to another. Alternatively, said main frame, said first leg structure, and second leg structure, said at least one laterally extending element may be fabricated from tubular steel and said load carrying portion is moulded from a reinforced plastic material of sufficient strength for use as a wheelbarrow for transporting materials from one place to another,

In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention provides a wheelbarrow comprising: a frame formed from a first longitudinally extending body and a second identical longitudinally extending body with at least one pivot mounted wheel extending from the frame and a pair of handle bars and grips extending rearwardly from the first and second longitudinally extending bodies, at least two support members extending from the frame upon which the wheelbarrow is supported in the rest position, and at least one laterally extending element extending between and spacing apart said first and second longitudinally extending bodies ; and a load carrying body comprising a front and rear wall adjoined by opposite side walls and a floor defining a receptacle for carrying a load, wherein said Load carrying portion has an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a shoulder, said upper portion located above said ground engaging wheel and said lower portion located behind said wheel such that a centre of gravity for the wheelbarrow is located in close proximity to said wheel to reduce the amount of strength required to lift and move said wheelbarrow and also changes the lever ami to minimise the moment required to lift the load in the wheelbarrow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more ftiliy from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which, however, should not be taken to be limitative to the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only. Fig. 1 illustrates a three dimensional view from above of a wheelbarrow in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a three dimensional view from below of the wheelbarrow of

Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the wheelbarrow of Fig, 1 ;

Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the wheelbarrow of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the wheelbarrow of Fig. 1 with the load carrying container removed for clarity;

Fig. 6 shows a side view of the wheelbarrow of Fig. 1 with the load carrying container removed for clarity;

Figs. 7 to 10 show different views of the Load carrying container which in use is mounted on the frame of the wheelbarrow of Fig. I ;

Fig. 1 1 is a schematic view illustrating the stability triangle of the wheelbarrow of Fig. 1 in the resting position;

Fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the stability triangle of the wheelbarrow of Fig. 1 in a forward tilted or moving position; and

Fig. 13 shows a side view of the wheelbarrow of Fig. 6 with the load carrying container of Figs. 7 to 10 and a further load carrying container used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description, given by way of example only, is described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments. The principles of operation of the wheelbarrow according to the present invention and how it differentiates from existing ones may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanied description,

It is noted that structural members depicted herein are preferably of a square cross-section, though they may alternatively comprise other cross-section configurations such as tubular, rectangular, triangular, I-beam, U-beam, C-channel and the like. Structural members are preferably welded together, though any suitable means or combination of means, such as bolting, may be employed to join members together. The structural members may be fabricated from any of a number of different materials, such as steel, aluminum, reinforced plastics, wood or the like.

For definitional purposes, the following terms will be used for referring to the fully assembled wheelbarrow in normal use. The term "horizontal" refers to the direction parallel to a surface (e.g., ground) on which the wheelbarrow is supported in normal use. The term "vertical" refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal direction. The term "front" or "forward" refers to the end of the wheelbarrow proximate to the wheel (described below) of the wheelbarrow. The term "rear" or "rearward" refers to the end opposite the front end of the wheelbarrow.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a wheelbarrow embodying features of the present invention. The wheelbarrow 10 includes a main frame 20 configured for supporting a container or body 1 1 (e.g., a tub, receptacle or tray). The main frame 20 further includes an axle 15 on which a wheel and tyre 14 are axiaily mounted for facilitating movement of the wheelbarrow by a person in a conventional manner. , The container 1 1 may be removably secured or permanently attached to the frame 20 in any suitable manner, such as bolts, or the like (not shown), and it is preferable to provide spaced brace members 25, 26 connected between the frame 20 and container 1 1 for rigidity and strength,

The frame 20 includes a pair of spaced longitudinal arm portions 21, 22 which extend generally through the length of the wheelbarrow 10, The pair of spaced aim portions or members 21 and 22 being substantially disposed at angles with respect to each other with the outer ends located at the rear of the wheelbarrow 10 thereof being disposed at a greater distance apart than the inner ends located at or near the wheel 14 thereof as particularly shown in FIG. 5. The inner ends of the arms 21 and 22 are preferably connected by crossbars 26 and are secured between the arms 21 and 22 in spaced relation to facilitate support of the container 1 1. Two further crossbars 26 are secured between the arms 21 and 22 in spaced relation and located rearward of the wheel 14 to further facilitate support of the container 1 1 ,

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the longitudinal portions 21, 22 extend from the wheel 14, and two ends of the longitudinal portions 21 , 22 extend rearwardly from an opposing end of tire wheel 14 of the wheelbarrow 10 to form handles or handle bars 23, to each of which handles handgrips 24 are preferably positioned. The handles 23 are for facilitating the manipulation of the wheelbarrow 10. The handgrips 24 preferably comprising a material, such as rubber, nylon, or the like, that is effective fo enabling a person to comfortably lift the rear end of wheelbarrow 10 in a conventional manner, In addition, a support assembly 12 is welded or otherwise secured to the frame 20 for engaging the ground and supporting the wheelbarrow 10 in a rest or stationery position and assists in maintaining the wheelbarrow 10 in an upright position. The support assembly 12 may be of any suitable type, and preferably comprises a pair of spaced leg members 12.

A pair of substantially mutually parallel arms 13 are welded or otherwise secured to the crossbars 26 respectively located at the front end of the wheelbarrow 10, the parallel arms 13 extend at an angle downwardly therefrom for supporting the wheel 12 and axle 15, The wheel 14 is freely journalled on a pivot shaft or axle generally indicated at 15 in any suitable maimer, such as by bearing supports (not shown). The shaft 15 comprises a substantially straight central portion connected to the pair of parallel arms 13 located at opposite ends thereof, each of which supports a side of the wheel 14. The stub shaft or axle 15 is secured to the parallel arms 13 by pillow blocks, or the like.

The principles and self-balancing and self-stabilizing operation of the wheelbarrow according to the present invention, why and how it differentiates from existing ones may be better understood with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 show a side view of the wheelbarrow 10 of this invention at rest to depict the displacement of the centre of gravity (CoG) 37 of the load with respect to the wheel axle 15. It will be appreciated that as the wheelbarrow 10 is lifted, the CoG 37 moves forward and nearer the vertical through the wheel axle 15, thus decreasing the distance the CoG 37 is from the wheel axle 15. However, the CoG 37 still remains rearwardly with respect to the wheel axle 15 so that stability is maintained. According to physics, if the CoG passes the vertical through the wheel axle 15 such that the CoG is forwar d of the axle 15, then the wheelbarrow 10 tends to tip over fo wardly as a result of forward moment forces particularly during forward unloading.

In typical wheelbarrows, forward unloading requires a strong and well controlled pushing force by the operator to shift the CoG over the wheel pivot, then a pulling force to counterbalance the created tipping over moment force. In the wheelbarrow 10 of this invention, the position of the wheel relative to the CoG and the forward load above upper portion 34 allows the load to pivot through the wheel in the motion of unloading rather than lift over the wheel, significantly reducing the force required to lift the container 1 1 to the point of unloading, and also lowering the vertical lift required to commence discharge of the container, Additionally, while unloading the moment force is substantially ameliorated by the use of two levels 34 and 35 within the container 1 1, an upper portion 34 and a lower portion 35 separated by a shoulder 36 are created within the container 1 1. The CoG 37 is located at a position which is lower than the upper loading portion 34 and is also located slightly behind the wheel axle 15 within the area defined by the lower loading portion 35. As the handle bars 23 are raised and the wheelbarrow 10 is lifted, the CoG 37 moves toward the wheel axle 15 while it slowly empties its content, By the time the CoG 37 reaches the axle 15 and passes it, the actual load is minimal so that the generated moment force is negligible and does not require a strong counterbalancing force by the operator.

By way of example a second wheel 14' in FIG. 3 illustrates the location (exaggerated for demonstration) of a wheel as used in some conventional wheelbairows to contrast the easy operation of the wheelbarrow 10 of the present invention with conventional wheelbarrows, As can be seen, the wheelbarrow comprises a container 1 1 with a pair of legs 12 extending downwardly therefrom and a front wheel 14'. As can also be seen, the CoG 37 of the wheelbarrow is located rearwardly with respect to the front wheel axle 15. It is assumed that a container 1 1 of the present invention could be releasably mounted on a frame 20, For ease of calculation the same container 1 1 as is used in the present invention is used on the conventional wheelbarrow.

The wheelbarrow is in it's at rest position with the legs 12 and front wheel 14' resting on the ground in a generally horizontal orientation. Similarly the wheelbarrow of the present invention would be in its t est position with the legs 12 and front wheel 14 resting on the ground in a generally horizontal orientation.

For the wheelbarrow 10 of the present invention with a wheel 14 and a CoG 37, when the physics lever equation is used, the lifting force is calculated as follows:

- ^{W X L2}

Where LI⁷ is the required lifting force, LI is the distance measured from the handle grip 24 (or operator's feet) on the handle bars 23 to the axle 15, L2 is the distance measured from the CoG 37 to the axle 15, and W is the actual payload of the loaded wheelbarrow 10.

For the present invention W - 1000N, Ll = 1.0m, L2 = 0.2m LF = 250N For the conventional wheelbarrow with wheel 14' and CoG 37, when the physics lever equation is used, the lifting force is calculated as foll ws:

W x L3

L^{F "} L3 - L4

Where LF is the required lifting force, L3 is the distance measured from the handle grip 24 (or operator's feet) on the handle bars 23 to the axle 15', L4 is the distance measured from the CoG 37 to the axle 15', and W is the actual payload of the loaded wheelbarrow.

For a conventional barrow W =^» 1000N, L3 = 1.5m, L2 = 0.75m LF = 1000N

As can be seen the lifting force of the present invention for the wheelbarrow 10 is four times less than the lifting force required to lift a conventional wheelbarrow. Therefore the lifting force which is continuously exerted on the operator's wrists and legs is four times less when using the wheelbarrow 10 in accordance with the present invention. As can be appreciated these measurements are only approximate and it will be appreciated that the lifting force of the present invention could be far less as the CoG 37 moves closer to the wheel axle 15 when the wheelbarrow 30 is lifted.

Figures 7 to 12 show the container 1 1 with a front section 30, a rear section or wall 31 joined by side walls 32 and joined at the bottom by the floor 33. The floor consists of the upper level portion 34, the lower level portion 35 and are joined by the shoulder portion 36. The floor 33 also consists of a rear wall 31 joining portion or lip 40 which joins the floor 33 of the container 1 1 to the rear wall 31,

Turning now to FIGS. 1 1 and 12, there are schematic illustrations showing the wheelbarrow 10 in accordance with the present invention in an at rest position (FIG. 1 1) and showing the corresponding area of stability 41 for that at rest position and schematic illustration showing the wheelbarrow 10 in a raised or moving position (FIG, 12) and the corresponding area of stability 42 for that raised position. In both cases, the area of stability is a triangle. The stability triangle 41 is defined by the point of contact of the front, wheel 14 with the ground and the points of contact of the legs 12 with the ground. Likewise the stability triangle 42 is defined by the point of contact of the front wheel 14 with the ground and the operator's legs during lifting and forward movement, According to physics, as long as the CoG 37 is vertically projected within the triangle of stability 41 and 42, the wheelbarrow 10 remains stable and it does not tip over. In the at rest position of FIG. 1 1 the CoG 37 is well within the stability triangle 41 show in FIG. 1 1. Likewise in the raised and moving position of FIG, 12 the CoG 37 is well within the stability triangle 42 shown in FIG, 12,

FIG. 13 illustrates a further option available for the wheelbarrow with a different container 50 fitted to the frame 20. The applicants have identified that in order to shift such loads as bricks or the like a flat bottom 52 surface of the container 50 is preferred.

The container 50 may be removably secured or permanently attached to the frame 20 in any suitable manner, such as bolts₃ or the like (not shown), and it is preferable to provide spaced brace members 25, 26 connected between the frame 20 and container 50 for rigidity and strength. The container 50 with a front section 53, a rear section or wall 51 joined by side walls 54 and joined at the bottom by the floor 52,

The load carrying portion or container 1 1 , 50 is either fabricated from a thin sheet metal sufficiently strong enough for use as a wheelbarrow or is moulded from a reinforced plastic material sufficiently strong enough for use as a wheelbarrow for transporting materials from one place to another.

The CoG 37 is further maintained in the stability triangles 41 , 42 by the use of the two levels 34 and 35 within the container 1 1. The upper portion 34 and the lower portion 35 separated by a shoulder 36 strategically place the CoG 37 behind the wheel axle 15 in the lower portion 35 aud subsequently due to the position of the CoG 37 at the lower level aids to maintain the CoG 37 within the stability triangles 41 , 42 at all times.

We also note that as the lower level 35 is subject to loading first by its very nature, the CoG 37 is maintained within the stability triangle therefore allowing a stable balancing weight on initial loading. This design feature allows greater stability at initial loading of the container compared to conventional barrows which can tend to load eccentrically outside the stability triangle and overturn the container.

In operation, the wheelbanow 10 is operable in a "stationary" mode, wherein it positioned substantially as shown in FIG. I, with the base portions of each leg structure 12 and the wheel 14 substantially aligned and engaged with a support surface, such as the ground, floor, or the like. In the stationary mode, the wheelbarrow 10 may be loaded with stone, brick, dirt, or the like, or the same may be unloaded from the wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow 10 is also operable in a "mobile" mode, wherein a person (not shown) may grip the handles 23 and lift the rear portion of the wheelbanow 10, and then move the wheelbanow as desired to a new location. When the new location is reached, the rear portion of the wheelbarrow 10 may be lowered and restored to a stationary mode. Because the operation of a wheelbanow is considered to be well- known, its operation will not be described in further detail herein.

The nature of the lever arm means that the CoG when "mobile" actually moves closer to the pivotal axle, thus reducing the lifting load required when mobile compared to when it is stationary. This stated, the CoG still remains behind the pivot for stability and control.

ADVANTAGES

In use, the wheelbarrow may be loaded with any desired materials, such as sand, dirt, or the like, and may be lifted by the handles in the usual manner whereby the wheel may roll across the surface of the ground for transporting the materials from site to site. The balance of the load in the container provides extreme ease of movement for the wheelbarrow and the design of the container compensates for any imbalance of the load carried in the container. The turning of the loaded wheelbanow is easily accomplished clue to the low centre of gravity of the load located in the wheelbanow, and it is found that loads of considerable weight may be easily handled by persons of relatively small stature. The present invention uses the intelligent positioning of the CoG and the change in the lever ami within the lower section of the container and by utilising principles of physics combined with three dimensional shapes to define a self-stabilizing and self- balancing multipurpose wheelbarrow for different loading conditions and operated with minimal controlling forces.

VARIATIONS

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above description and recitations are intended to serve only as examples to illustrate the merits of the wheelbarrow in this invention and that these principles and concepts can be utilized in a variety of embodiments which may vary but are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, Accordingly, it is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments, and several variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the specification the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises".

Claims

1 , A wheelbarrow for carrying materials, said wheelbarrow comprising:

a main frame defining first and second spaced-apavt longitudinal portions;

a load carrying portion comprising a front wall and a rear wall adjoined by a pair of opposite side walls and a floor defining a receptacle, said load carrying portion being mounted to said main frame and configured for supporting a load;

an axle mounted below said main frame and contained substantially within said first and second spaced apart longitudinal portions;

a ground engaging wheel lotatably mounted on said axle for moving the wheelbarrow over the ground;

a first leg structure and a second leg structure attached respectively to said fust and second spaced apart longitudinal portions configured to engage the ground when the wheelbarrow is in a stationary position; and

wherein said load canying portion has an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a shoulder, said upper portion located above said ground engaging wheel and said lower portion located behind said wheel.

2. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main frame comprises a pair of elongate handles laterally spaced apart and extending rear ardly from one end of said fust and second spaced-apart longitudinal portions.

3. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said main frame, said first leg structure, and second leg structure are fabricated from tubular steel.

4. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said main frame further comprises cross brace elements separating said first and second longitudinal portions said cross brace elements comprising;

a first forward cross brace extending between said first and second longitudinal portions and located adjacent to said front wall of said load carrying portion; ^f

a second forward cross brace extending between said first and second longitudinal portions and located proximate to said shoulder at a point adjacent said upper portion of said load ca ying portion;

a fust rearward cross brace extending between said first and second longitudinal portions and located adjacent said rear wall of said load carrying portion; and

a second rearward cross brace extending between said first and second longitudinal portions and located proximate to said shoulder at a point adjacent said lower portion of said load carrying portion.

5. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 4, wherein said frame and cross brace members positioned between said first and second longitudinally extending portions are positioned substantially under said load carrying portion.

6. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said second rearward cross member forms a pivot poin for the wheelbarrow located behind and in close proximity to the wheel and below said centre of gravity of said wheelbarrow,

7. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cross brace member located between said fust and second longitudinal portions and proximate said pair of elongate handles and adapted to keep the pair of elongate handles spaced apart from each other.

8. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pair of elongate handles further comprise resilient rubber grips located at or close to an end of said first and second longitudinal portions for gripping by a user,

9. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a centre of gravity of the wheel arro at rest is located proximate said shoulder located between said upper and lower portions and behind said wheel so that the centre of gravity is located in close proximity to said wheel to reduce the amount of strength required to lift and move said wheelbarrow.

10. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lower portion of said load carrying portion forms a first receptacle for loading materials and said upper portion of said load carrying portion forms a second receptacle for loading materials, wherein when materials are loaded into each receptacle the wheelbarrow is balanced due to the materials being substantially loaded into said lower portion which is substantially formed behind the wheel of said wheelbarrow thereby placing the centre of gravity in close proximity to the wheel axle or pivot point to reduce the amount of strength required to lift, move and empty the wheel barrow.

1 1. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said axle mounted ground engaging wheel extending below said main frame is mounted on a support frame comprising elongate members extending from said main frame and located on either side of said axle.

12. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said load carrying portion Iras a front wall inclining forwardly-up vardly towards the front edge thereof in a transport position for emptying its contents on tilting the wheelbarrow forwardly about an axis positioned substantially between and parallel to the wheel axle and the pivot point formed by said second rearward cross member,

13. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second spaced-apart longitudinal portions comprise two identical bodies each with a rearwardly extending handle bar with a grip and a wheel mount extending below each longitudinal portion on which a wheel is pivotally mounted.

14. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 13, wherein said identical longitudinal portions are spaced apart by at least one laterally extending element welded at each end between each said longitudinal portion,

15. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 13, wherein said identical longitudinal portions are spaced apart by four laterally extending elements located substantially below said load carrying portion and a further laterally extending element between said handle bars,

16. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 15, wherein said laterally extending elements are connected to said load carrying portion at points located along said laterally extending element.

17. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said main frame, said first leg structure, and second leg structure, said at least one laterally extending element are fabricated from tubular steel and said load carrying portion is fabricated from a thin sheet metal sufficiently strong enough for use as a wheelbarrow for transporting materials from one place to another,

18. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said main frame, said fust leg structure, and second leg structure, said at least one laterally extending element are fabricated from reinforced plastic and said load carrying portion is moulded from a reinforced plastic material sufficiently strong enough for use as a wheelbarrow for iransporting materials from one place to another.

19. A wheelbarrow comprising;

a frame formed from a first longitudinally extending body and a second identical longitudinally extending body with at least one pivot mounted wheel extending from the frame and a pair of handle bars and grips extending rearwardly from the first and second longitudinally extending bodies, at least two support members extending from the frame upon which the wheelbarrow is supported in the rest position, and at least one laterally extending element extending between and spacing apart said first and second longitudinally extending bodies; a load carrying body comprising a front and tear wall adjoined by opposite side walls and a floor defining a receptacle for carrying a load, wherein said load carrying portion has an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a shoulder, said upper portion located above said ground engaging wheel and said lower portion located behind said wheel such that a centre of giavity for the wheclbanow is located in close proximity to said wheel to reduce the amount of strength required to lift and move said wheelbarrow.